(Seychelles News Agency) - Developmental challenges such as drugs and climate change were areas highlighted by the President of Seychelles to his Mauritian counterpart on the first day of his state visit to Mauritius.

Danny Faure met with Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, the President of Mauritius, at the State House in Le Réduit on Thursday.

Speaking on the strong relations that exist between the two governments, Faure said that this is “underpinned by many commonalities, including shared culture and history, and most importantly as two island nations that sit in the same oceanic space.”

On her part, the Mauritian President commended Seychelles for its support in the Chagos question and for voting for the United Nations (UN) resolution passed on June 22. The resolution requested an advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice on the legal consequences of the separation of the Chagos archipelago from Mauritius in 1965.

Faure met with Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, the President of Mauritius, at the State House in Le Réduit on Thursday. (State House) Photo License: CC-BY

Gurib-Fakim also acknowledged Seychelles’ achievements in the field of environmental conservation with particular reference to the efforts made in the protection of coral reefs. She congratulated Seychelles, an archipelago in the western Indian Ocean, for winning the award for the Ocean Innovation Challenge 2017 and for taking on the Presidency of SIDS-DOCK following the UN Assembly in September.

Other areas discussed were the developmental successes of Mauritius and the geopolitical dynamics of the two countries in the Indian Ocean.

The President of Seychelles noted that by working together the two island nations can make significant contributions internationally. He also highlighted the many lessons that Seychelles stands to learn from Mauritius when the 115-island archipelago takes up the presidency of Indian Ocean Commission next year. The two leaders agreed that it is only through mutual efforts that the IOC can be strengthened.

Another subject raised was the Joint Management of the Mascarene Plateau. Both leaders acknowledged that the venture is an exemplary one from which many nations of the world stands to learn valuable lessons. They both expressed their hope for the continued success of this mechanism.

President Faure and President Gurib-Fakim also noted that there is a need for the two countries to work together in order to build up their countries capacity.

Upon his arrival in Mauritius on Thursday, Faure was welcomed at the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport by the Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, and other high dignitaries in the Mauritian government. The President of Seychelles attended a banquet hosted by Jugnauth on Thursday evening.

Faure is on a four-day state visit to Mauritius and is expected to witness the signing of five agreements, of which two will be for the recruitment of teachers and health professionals from Mauritius to Seychelles. Aside from filling the gap in the labour market in Seychelles, it would also provide the opportunity for Mauritian professionals to equip themselves with valuable experience.